Queensland weather: Flood alert issued for north tropical coast

Swift water rescue crews are on standby on Queensland's northern tropical coast, after the weather bureau issued a flood warning overnight Tuesday.

Coastal areas between Townsville and Cairns are in for a drenching in the next 24 hours, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with up to 250 millimetres tipped to fall in some parts.

An aerial image shows stranded travellers in far north Queensland on Sunday, surrounded by flood waters.

Photo: Qld Police

Ingham, Innisfail, Cardwell, Tully, Rollingstone and Babinda are expected to bear the brunt of the extremely heavy rainfall that will build into Tuesday and continue overnight before easing on Wednesday.

The bureau issued a flood watch alert for residents just after midnight on Tuesday, with particular emphasis on residents or workers near rivers and creeks remaining vigilant.

Heavy rain caused flooding at Burketown in Queensland's far north west at the weekend.

Photo: Higgins Storm Chasing/Nick Fry

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Rollingstone had already received 132 millimetres in the six hours leading up to 4.30am Tuesday, according to the bureau.

"Heavy rainfall associated with a southeasterly wind surge will affect the east tropical coast on Tuesday," the bureau said in the warning issued.

"It will combine with an unstable and extremely moist air mass to enhance rain areas and thunderstorms between Babinda and Rollingstone.

"Heavy rainfall totals in excess of 250 millimetres are possible on Tuesday.

"River level rises above the minor flood level are likely.

"Heavy rainfall may also lead to localised flash flooding."

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said the authority had doubled the number of swift water rescue technicians on standby in Cairns and Innisfail on Tuesday and would continue to assess the situation as the day progressed.

The bureau is due to issue an updated flood warning at midday.

An associated strong wind warning has also been issued for almost all Queensland coastal areas, from the southern Gulf of Carpentaria and down along all the eastern coast from the far north to Gold Coast waters near the New South Wales border.

There are also expected to be further falls in drough-affected areas of Queensland's north west, parts of which have already been drenched by monsoonal rain in the past few days.